rDear Dad,
Today has been the single best use of this day in the past 9 years. And I hope my story makes you proud of your little girl.
Today at 12 noon being 1am on the 7th of March in NZ I set off on a half marathon around the Silverstone F1 track in England. I clearly had DAD printed on my left hand, my nails painted red and black and a capital A on my right hand. Who would have thought I'd be in Cantab colours!
This was all the inspiration I needed to get around the track. I set off at a strong pace making the first 2 miles in 18.45. I was supposed to be running a 10 minute mile pace but like most long runs I needed the loo and that spurs me on. I stopped for the loo at 2.5 miles and this put me off entirely as the break must have been 4+ minutes. Alas I took the inclines, hairpin turns and celebrity participants in my stride. At 9 miles I felt strong as I ran down a gravel hill towards the last stretch to reach the final lap on the track. I spotted my good friends Holly and Harv and the straight ahead seems easy and inspired. To have their support on the day was just brilliant and made me feel really humble. What I had ahead of me was a mere 3 miles which I was determined not to walk in. I crossed the finish line storming the last 200m in 2:19:25.
I wished now I had pushed harder as I have a few miles left in me and fell behind my first Half record of 2:15:05. Alas I felt strong and was inspired.
Afterall I set of on this journey with a vague plan to get to 2:10 time but with my pathetic winter training regime I had let that go. The 22nd of February's devestating earthquake in Christchurch gave me purpose. Having raised £1500 before the race and with £500 matched from work and £400 in Gift Aid I was feeling positive about my contribution from afar. Despite the pain I read in Kerry's emails of the displacement and rebuilding and the loss of my school friend, I feel Christchurch will come back to be the city you introduced me to that first time in 1986. I know I'm excited about being there later in the year for the RWC.
The journey back to London was also a highlight for me sharing a carriage with a delightful 69 year old cyclist and traveller and a student of Christ Church College of Oxford who was also raising money for the Christchurch Appeal to support their name sake.
Sometimes the days you dread are indeed the days that are filled with delight. I've topped it off by baking some cupcakes for my team...thanks to my darling neighbours for the eggs ;o)
Hope I made you proud today Dad.
Your Little Girl x
Today has been the single best use of this day in the past 9 years. And I hope my story makes you proud of your little girl.
Today at 12 noon being 1am on the 7th of March in NZ I set off on a half marathon around the Silverstone F1 track in England. I clearly had DAD printed on my left hand, my nails painted red and black and a capital A on my right hand. Who would have thought I'd be in Cantab colours!
This was all the inspiration I needed to get around the track. I set off at a strong pace making the first 2 miles in 18.45. I was supposed to be running a 10 minute mile pace but like most long runs I needed the loo and that spurs me on. I stopped for the loo at 2.5 miles and this put me off entirely as the break must have been 4+ minutes. Alas I took the inclines, hairpin turns and celebrity participants in my stride. At 9 miles I felt strong as I ran down a gravel hill towards the last stretch to reach the final lap on the track. I spotted my good friends Holly and Harv and the straight ahead seems easy and inspired. To have their support on the day was just brilliant and made me feel really humble. What I had ahead of me was a mere 3 miles which I was determined not to walk in. I crossed the finish line storming the last 200m in 2:19:25.
I wished now I had pushed harder as I have a few miles left in me and fell behind my first Half record of 2:15:05. Alas I felt strong and was inspired.
Afterall I set of on this journey with a vague plan to get to 2:10 time but with my pathetic winter training regime I had let that go. The 22nd of February's devestating earthquake in Christchurch gave me purpose. Having raised £1500 before the race and with £500 matched from work and £400 in Gift Aid I was feeling positive about my contribution from afar. Despite the pain I read in Kerry's emails of the displacement and rebuilding and the loss of my school friend, I feel Christchurch will come back to be the city you introduced me to that first time in 1986. I know I'm excited about being there later in the year for the RWC.
The journey back to London was also a highlight for me sharing a carriage with a delightful 69 year old cyclist and traveller and a student of Christ Church College of Oxford who was also raising money for the Christchurch Appeal to support their name sake.
Sometimes the days you dread are indeed the days that are filled with delight. I've topped it off by baking some cupcakes for my team...thanks to my darling neighbours for the eggs ;o)
Hope I made you proud today Dad.
Your Little Girl x
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